Are you ready?

Last month, a friend, who lives in a neighborhood close to me, and I went to the UT campus to give a radio interview. My friend is the pastor of a church that meets in one of the elementary schools where we live in Steiner Ranch. The purpose of the interview is to offer some reflections on the Steiner Ranch fires of Labor Day Weekend, 2011. The interviewer is working on a program for the one-year anniversary of the fires.

As the two of us talked about what we did during that weekend and the aftermath of the event, our conversation shifted to an interesting topic. The interviewer asked us what we had taken with us when we exited our homes. We gave the usual response - pets, valuable papers, important photgraphs. Then, she asked us if we are prepared for the next time an evacuation is required. A great question. Of course, you can't expect two pastors to give a simple answer to a question such as "are you ready?"

We used the moment to talk about what is really important in life - family, home (different than "house") , faith, the grace of God. We also spoke about the things of this world that we appreciate, but that are not absolutely vital - property, possessions, and the like.

A crisis, or the potential for a crisis, has a way of making clear the priorities of our life. Although we live most of the time in what I call "ordinary times," we might do well to consider what we value in case we are faced with a crisis, or even death. For example, we know that there will be a "next time" in terms of a crisis or evacuation. Are you ready? What will you bring with you? (My son, Talbot, has asked me to rescue his Pete Rose autographed baseball)...Then, ask yourself if you are ready, eternally. Not taking with you the things that are temporary, but the assurance of things eternally. If the Lord calls us - during a time of crisis or in an ordinary time - are you at peace? Do you need to make any preparations?

Fr. Mike

Lesser Feasts and Fasts

During our mid-week services at St. Luke's, I will use a book called "Lesser Feasts and Fasts", which examines the lives of saints throughout the centuries. Each saint has his or her own collect, propers and a brief biography. This slim volume is an excellent resource for anyone interested in church history. We read stories about early church martyrs and influential teachers and bishops who changed the religious landscape of their countries. Two of my heroes - Charles Simeon (November 12) and John Wesley (March 3) - are in LFF.

There are many poignant stories, such as how young priests under the tutelage of Simeon, left the comforts of Cambridge and Eton in order to go some South Sea island or Africa. Then, within a few months or years they were killed for the sake of the gospel. Yesterday, March 7th, was Perpetua and her companions, martyrs at Carthage in 202. These women were killed in a dramatic and violent manner for refusing to retreat from their faith in the Lord Jesus.

I used to think that this was not right - what was accomplished by "throwing away" a life like that? Gradually, I realized that a Christian's life is not measured in years but in faithfulness. The saints would go to some far off place and be murdered, but in the way they died the people saw in them something which they had never seen before.

The missionaries who came after them were the ones who could actually do the work of bringing people to Christ because of the witness of those deaths. These saints had short lives but they made a difference. So, when you and I are not afraid of putting our lives on the line, when we are not afraid of situations which may cause us trouble or stress, and when we realize that the Holy Spirit is at work in us, then we are capable of doing what others would not dare to do. That is really quite extraordinary!

Mike

Mission Series

Last night, St. Luke's on the Lake began it's four-part Lenten Series on Missions. The Missions Committee has worked hard in preparing for this series, and I commend it to you. In addition to guest speakers, the committee is taking a few moments at the beginning of each session to educate the parish on the depth of this important work. Ashley Lewis, the chair of this committee, has a great handout that will guide us throughout the series.

So, before the teaching last night, I spoke to a parishioner about how the timing is right for SLOL to hold such a series this year - and that five years ago or even three years ago, such a series would have been pre-mature. His reply was helpful. "You know, it all seemed to come together for us when we made that parish mission trip to Pascagoula, Mississippi." Indeed, the spring break trip in March of 2006 opened up awareness and avenues for mission work, both as individuals and as groups at St. Luke's.

Isn't it interesting how one event, one conversation, or one leader can contribute to a wider involvement? Clearly, the Holy Spirit has blessed the missional impulse of the people of the parish. All one has to do is to look at the generous outpouring of time, talent and treasure towards the various outreach and mission ministries of this parish, and there is a genuine impact being made in the Kingdom. Also, the number of paishioners entering the mission field (long-term and short-term) has grown.

So, where is there another event, conversation, or leader that is percolating, even today?

Fr. Mike